KSRO's Sonoma County 'Wine Guy'
March 31, April 3 & 5, 2008
In the beginning, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say it all starts with the grapes. But, what the winemaker does with those grapes has a huge effect on the finished wine. Last week I had the chance to visit with Gerard Zanzonico the winemaker of one of Napa Valley’s newest wineries, Del Dotto Vineyards. The Del Dotto Winery “Cathedral” and caves are a sight to behold. And the tasting experience, conducted in the winery caves, is second to none. Winemaker Gerard Zanzonico of Montelena and Staglin fame is working his magic for owner Dave Del Dotto. This is definitely a winery to watch. From the vineyard sites in Rutherford, Stag’s Leap, and Howell Mountain, and the barrel régime of Sylvain, Fouquet, and the new u-stave Seguin-Monroe, to the variety of yeasts, F15 and 254, the tastes will leave a forever impression. On your next trip to Napa, Del Dotto is a must. Click on deldottavineyards.com for an appointment.
March 24, 27, 29, 2008
Opening Night! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say although we didn’t have a ribbon cutting ceremony; my class “All About the Russian River Valley” officially christened the new home of Healdsburg’s Relish Culinary School. At the sold out affair we discussed why the Russian River Valley is the hottest of the cool growing regions of California. With Russian River Valley Winegrowers’ president, Hector Bedolla, we learned of the famous cooling Russian River Valley fog, the diversity of soil types, the influence of elevation, and the wide variety of grapes grown in Sonoma County’s largest AVA (American Viticultural Area). The top three wines of the night were: #3 the DuNah 2006 DeDee’s Vineyard Chardonnay, $42; #2 the Passalacqua Russian River 2006 Zinfandel, $27; and #1 the La Crema 2006 Russian River Pinot Noir Rose, $20. All ‘n all we learned the Russian River Valley is hot and cool, and so are the new digs at Relish Culinary School.
March 17, 20, & 22, 2008
Easter comes early this year. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say as winter turns to spring and the temperature warms, I feel like I can hardly stand it! I want to put my sunglasses on, stare at the sun, beat my chest, and scream… Yes!!! The buds are pushing; it’s March madness. Spring break, and this year even Easter, comes early. With al this “new” in the air, I want to tell you all about my new favorite winery: Sea Smoke Cellars. Located in the Santa Rita Hills Sea Smoke specializes in Pinot Noir. Small production, high quality, and some of the best I’ve tasted. Look for the Sea Smoke 2005 Botella Pinot all floral and cherry in the nose. This feminine wine dances on the palate with more cherry wrapped with cinnamon and clove, 5 wine stains, $40. Click on seasmokecellars.com and get on their list. It’s spring! Get outside and play!
March 10, 13, & 15, 2008
Wines and their cheeses, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say… cheese! Now that you’re smiling, you’re ripe, no pun intended, to enjoy one of the perfect pairings the world has ever known. Just as food and wine pairings have exploded, so has the cheese and wine world. No longer is it just Stilton which is brought out with the port to end the dining experience. Today cheese courses are as common as desserts. After attending this past weekend’s Artisan Cheese Festival in Petaluma, I realize it’s not just goat or cow, but also fresh, aged, or dried and that white wines actually pair with more cheeses than red wines. Look to the new book by Janet Fletcher titled Cheese & Wine, A Guide to Selecting, Pairing, and Enjoying, a must for any cheese head. Stay tuned next time for my wine and cheese recommendations.
March 11 & 14, 2008
Wines and their cheeses, I’m Tom Simoneau here with today’s wine minute to say ah… the complexity! After attending The Artisan Cheese Festival this past weekend in Petaluma, I realize these cheese guys have as much going on as us wine guys. The basics are simple; match or contrast. High acid sparkling wines, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris work great with young goat cheeses. Look to the Iron Horse Russian Cuvee, Sauvignon Republic’s Sauvignon Blanc, or J’s Pinot Gris. Put a little age to that goat cheese and now it works with a Syrah like Acorn’s Axiom or a Rose like Pedroncelli’s Zinfandel Rose. To contrast, try those same wines with triple creams like Camembert or Gorgonzola Dolce. Big red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon can be a hard match, but experimentation is recommended. Classics like Port or Late Harvest wines will always work especially along with dried fruit and nuts. Be adventurous, have some fun, there’s a whole world of flavors in artisan cheeses.
March 13, 2008
Opening night, the last of the barrel tastings, and some mushroom action, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say Thursday night the 13th, it’s Opening Night at Relish Culinary School as I’ll be hosting Tasting and Talking Wine and it’s all about the Russian River Valley. Ever wonder why the Russian River Valley is the hottest cool growing region in America? We’ll explain Thursday. Call 707-431-9999 for the last few seats.
Then March 15th and 16th it’s Savor Sonoma Valley. 19 wineries match up with 19 local chefs showcasing the 2007 vintage right from the barrel. Call 866-794-9463 for tickets. And
Wednesday night March 19th it’s Wine Geeks and Mushroom Freaks, dinner at the Martini House in St. Helena. Italian Family Estate Wine Importer Della Terra Winery Direct is collaborating with Chef Todd Humphries for this mushroom inspired evening. Call 707-963-2233 for reservations.
Now get out there and taste responsibly.
March 3, 6 & 8, 2008
Stop by and see us sometime! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say although they don’t act like it, they’re pretty famous. They are Alexander Valley’s oldest winemaking family. They farm the oldest Zinfandel vines in Alexander Valley and they are celebrating their winery’s 35th anniversary. They are Dave, Ed, Peachie, and Cindy, the Demostenes of Sausal Winery. Sausal’s Zinfandel vines date back to 1877… and as they say at Sausal, “At least 1877”. Sophisticated, not stuffy, professional, not corporate, casual, yet perfectionists at work, the Demostene family will make you feel at home when you stop by their tasting room in Alexander Valley. Look for the Sausal Winery 2004 Estate Zinfandel showing big spice, blackberry, leather, and toast, 4 wine stains, $18. And the Sausal 2003 AV Cabernet Sauvignon shows deep purple in color with black cherry, mocha, and soft tannin, 4 wine stains, $30. Sausal Winery… stop by and see them sometime.
March 4 & 7, 2008
Sausal goes wireless. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say I attended the 35th Anniversary Open House at Sausal Winery last week. Everyone was talking Zinfandel, as Zin is what Sausal does best. Grower Ed Demostene was telling me what it’s like farming Zinfandel that is 135 years old. With only one ton per acre, these head trained vines don’t make economic sense, but they do make great wine. The 50 year old ladder trained Zins, grown up a stake with spurs alternating up the trunk ladder style, are also low producers of excellent fruit. In fact all of Sausal’s Zin vines are wireless. That’s what makes them so good! Look for the Sausal 2005 Private Reserve Zin all blackberry and cherry, balanced with spice and oak, 5 wine stains, $23. The Sausal 2005 Century Vines Zin shows plum, prune, and blackberry, 4½ wine stains, $35. At Sausal, as Ed would say, the secret is in the old vines.
March 5, 2008
The barrels are still rolling in Sonoma, it’s cheese time in Petaluma and the Pinot will be flowing in Mendocino. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say this weekend The 30th Annual Wine Road Barrel Tasting continues as 100 wineries from Alexander, Dry Creek, and the Russian River Valleys will keep their doors open for your tasting pleasure. Click on wineroad.com for tickets.
Also this weekend, say cheese! KSRO 1350 AM will be broadcasting live this Saturday from 11:00 – noon from California’s Artisan Cheese Festival. This is a weekend filled with all you ever wanted to know about cheese; hosted by the Sheraton Petaluma Hotel. Click on artisancheesefestival.com.
And mark on your calendar the weekend of May 16th through the 18th for The 11th Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival. Taste wines from one of California’s best Pinot regions and enjoy their hospitality. Click on avwines.com.
Now get out there and taste responsibly.
February 25, 28, March 1, 2008
Moving day! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say if you think moving your home is a hassle, try moving a winery. Sapphire Hill Vineyards and Winery has moved. Still one of the Healdsburg Front Street Five, Sapphire Hill has moved across the parking lot to its new home, no longer sharing its winemaking space with Holdredge Winery. Winemaker Tim Meinken can be found working the tasting room while nursing along fermentations in the adjacent barrel room. For a taste of Sapphire Hill look for the 2005 Sapphire Hill Vineyard Chardonnay showing tropical fruit and butter cream with tastes of lemon and toast, 4 wine stains, $24. And the 2005 Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir all cherry drop, cola, and brown spice, 4 wine stains, $40. Stop by Sapphire Hill’s new digs this weekend and next at The Wine Road Barrel Tasting. Same Front St. address, just a different side of the parking lot.
October 29, November 1, 3, 2007
That was one granddaddy of a landslide! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say it was 40,000,000 years ago when earthquakes, volcanoes, and upheavals created the Mayacamas Mountains that redirected the Russian River and created what we now call Alexander Valley. Simi Winery grows some 600 acres of Bordeaux varieties in the soil that was created in all that commotion. In fact one of Simi’s premier vineyards is called Landslide. Winemaker Steve Reeder says he loves the diversity of Alexander Valley from the deep river bottom soils, the gravel on the benches, to the hillside soils. Alexander Valley gives a winemaker a painter’s palate of flavor profiles. For a taste of Alexander Valley look to the Simi 2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet all tart cherry and light oak, 4 wine stains, $27. The Simi 2004 Landslide Cabernet is more concentrated, all blackberry and mocha, 4½ wine stains, $40. Simi – farming the soil in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley.
October 22, 25, 27, 2007
Not into dressing up in one of those silly Halloween costumes? I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say that’s okay. Get silly with your wine. Dress up that dinner table with Celebrity Cellars TV Wines, The Honeymooners’ Red or I Love Lucy White. In to music? How about a Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, or Barbara Streisand blend? You could go with the classic Marilyn Merlot or stretch it out a bit with a wine from The “Grape One”, Wayne Gretzky, he pours, he scores! Yankee Derek Jeter may have a cologne, but Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez has Manny being Merlot. NASCAR? Yup. Jeff Gordon Wines. There’s Velvet Elvis Cabernet, Yoko Ono has a Chianti, Prince Charles has a painting on a bottle of Mouton Rothschild. And yes, even Jesus Christ with Grapes of Galilee Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Merlot. I’ve got plenty of suggestions on what wine to serve, but don’t ask me what to do with all those pumpkins!
1st show January 21, 24, &26, 2008
Today it’s what’s on tap for 2008! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say I’m tapping a 3-liter bag in a box as I wait for my VISA bill. The Bota Box from DFV Wines borrows its name from the bota bag so popular in the 60’s and 70’s with concert goers and hikers, this new Bota Box is eco friendly and won’t tap you out, 3-liters for around $20. The equivalent of four bottles, this bag in a box will stay fresh for weeks. Tonight’s glass will be as fresh as next week’s. Look for the 2005 Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon showing black fruit and toast, 3 wine stains, $20 for 3 liters. The Bota Box 2005 Merlot is smooth with red fruit flavors, 3 wine stains, $20 for 3 liters. I’m feeling a little nostalgic here with my Bota Box. Tastes great with less spending. Now if I could only find my Led Zeppelin eight-track.
2nd show January 22 & 25, 2008
How are you doing with your New Year’s Resolutions? I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say with the New Year I’m counting calories, not to mention pennies after I saw my VISA bill. But, I have to have a glass of wine with my carbo free dinner. Enter the new line of Bota Box Wines from DFV, Delicato Family Vineyards. These 3-liter box wines last for weeks unlike an open bottle of wine sitting on my counter. Your first glass will be as fresh as the last glass, even if it’s a few weeks later. Look for the DFV Bota Box 2005 Shiraz, rich with spicy blackberry, 3 wine stains, $20 for the 3-liter box. And the 2006 Bota Box Chardonnay is crisp with pear and citrus, 3 wine stains, $20 for the 3-liter box. Remember, no pain, no gain and with Bota Box by DFV, I can afford to sneak an extra glass of wine.
3rd show January 23, 2008
Four days of Zin in San Francisco and The wine, Cuisine, and Art of Mexico at Copia, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say January 23rd through the 26th in San Francisco, it’s four days for the love of Zin. Zinfandel Advocates and Producers presents the 17th Annual ZAP Festival with flights of 100 year old Zin on Wednesday the 23rd. Thursday, the 24th, it’s Good Eats and Zinfandel Pairings with top rated wineries and restaurants. Friday, the 25th, it’s the evening with winemaker dinners. Saturday, the 26th, it’s the Grand Tasting. Click on zinfandel.org for tickets. Also this Saturday, the 26th, at Copia in Napa, it’s The Wine, Cuisine, and Art of Mexico. Sample the wine and cuisine of Baja, Mexico’s up-and-coming wine country! That’s Saturday from noon to 3:00. Tickets are $30. Click on copia.org for more information.
Now get out there and taste responsibly.
1st show week of 12/24, 27, & 29, 2007
2nd show week of 1/1 & 4, 2008
Wines of the year, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here with my best whites of 2007.
Sparkling: G.H. Mumm Non Vintage Brut Rose. $52.
Chardonnay: Stonestreet 2005 Upper Barn. $42.
Sauvignon Blanc: Mondavi 2005 To Kalon Reserve Fume Blanc. $35.
Alternative White: Bonterra 2005 Mendocino Roussanne. $17.99.
Off Dry White: Ceago Vinegarden Estate 2006 Del Lago Clear Lake Muscat Canelli. $24.
Rose: Greenwood Ridge 2006 Mendocino Ridge. $16.
Most Fun White: Little Black Dress 2006 Pinot Grigio. $9.99.
Best Value White: Kenwood 2005 White Table Wine. $8.
Dessert Wine: Inniskillin 2005 Sparkling Vidal Icewine. $90 for the 375ml bottle.
Winery of the Year: Ceago Vinegarden
2nd show week of 12/ 25 & 28/ 2007
1st show week of 12/31/2007 & 1/3 & 5 /2008
Wines of the year, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here with my best reds of 2007.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Chalk Hill 2004 Estate. $64.
- Merlot: Grgich Hills 2003 Estate. $38.
- Zinfandel: Mazzocco Sonoma 2005 Pony. $27.
- Rhone Style: Hanna Winery 2003 Bismark Ranch Syrah. $48.
- Meritage: Clos du Bois 2003 Marlstone. $50.
- Alternative Red: Bokisch 2004 Graciano. $23
- Pinot Noir: Merry Edwards 2005 Russian River Valley. $39.
- Luxury Wine: Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot 2004 Three Palms Vineyard. $85
- Best Value Red: Kendall-Jackson 2004 Vintners Reserve Meritage. $12.
· Most Fun Red: Mendocino Wine Co. 2005 Zig Zag Zin. $18.
- Best Box Wine: Bota Box by Delicato 2005 California Merlot. $20 for the 3-liter box.
Winery of the year: Ceago Vinegarden
3rd show 12/26/07 and 1/2/08
Looking into my crystal ball for 2008, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here with some predictions.
The weekend of January 19th & 20th, I see a wine event taking place, Winter Wineland, with wineries from Dry Creek, Russian River, and Alexander Valleys. Click on wineroad.com.
I see Zinfandel being poured for some 10,000 people in San Francisco on Saturday January 26th. It’s the Zap Grand Tasting at Fort Mason. Click on zinfandel.org.
On Thursday, February 28th, there will be a class at The Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza called The Judgment of Healdsburg for Relish Culinary School. Join me as the best of the Healdsburg Wineries will be decided. Tickets are $50 and space is limited. Click on relishculinary.com.
Stay tuned for more predictions.
And get out there and taste responsibly.
1st show December 17, 20, 22, 2007
Eggnog… Eggnog… you’re not going to serve eggnog! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say being a New Englander I certainly understand tradition, but eggnog? Let me make a few suggestions for your holiday get-togethers. Open with Sparkling Wine. The festivities begin with the pop of the cork on a bottle of bubbly. Always look for fermented in this bottle a.k.a. Method Champenoise. For a $10 bottle, Korbel makes some of the best. $10 to $20 a bottle, look for Domain Chandon, Gloria Ferrer, and Mumm Napa. For $20 and up, look for J, Iron Horse Domain Carneros, Roederer Estate, and the Reserves from Mumm Napa. From France, $30 plus will buy you Perrier Jouet’s Grand Brut, Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label, and Moet & Chandon’s White Star. You don’t have to go broke to serve a great Sparkling Wine at the holidays. And trust me; no one will miss the eggnog!
2nd show December 18 & 21, 2007
Dear Santa, I’m Tom Simoneau The Wine Guy with my Christmas wish list. We don’t have a chimney, so I left the wine cellar unlocked with a glass of cognac and a cigar… make yourself at home. And if you’d be so kind, leave a few bottles when you’re done. A bottle of 2004 Opus One would be nice. A chardonnay from Patz & Hall would be terrific. A bottle of Champagne from Perrier Jouet, the Fleur de Champagne would be perfect for New Year’s Eve. A Merlot from Duckhorn, the Estate 2004. A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from the Sauvignon Republic. A Kosta Browne Pinot Noir… the Kansler please. A Zinfandel from Carol Shelton. And a Syrah from Hanna; the Bismark would be perfect for my Yankee pot roast. That’s it. Oh, and Santa please lock the door when you’re done and grab a bottle of Simoneau Cab for you and Mrs. Claus. Merry Christmas!
3rd show December 19, 2007
The calm before the storm! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say this week I need you to dig through your DVD collection and find your copy of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Grab your favorite wine and your loved one, settle down, and watch one of the best films ever made. Oh, and keep a box of tissues handy.
As the year comes to an end, check your wine cellar and the ads; as this is the best time of year to fill those holes. You’ll never see better deals than right now. With the euro going the wrong way, prices of French Champagne will be rising. Stop by one of the many fine wine shops, talk to their wine guy and get some advice on specialty luxury wines. We all work hard so splurge a little. You’ll forget the price when you’re enjoying the wine.
And to everyone have a safe and happy holiday!
1st show December 3, 6, 8, 2007
Have you got gas? I’ve got gas and I’m glad I do! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say that would be Argon gas. The moment you open a bottle of wine exposure to the air begins to change its character. Argon gas, which is heavier that air, can replace the air extending the life of an open bottle for days or even weeks. But how do you get the gas in the bottle? Enter PEK Systems. PEK has a variety of wine preservation systems all designed around Argon gas. With the PEK Preservino simply insert the injection nozzle fill the bottle with gas and your bottle is protected. The PEK Vino Vault is the world’s first preserving wine refrigerator. With its built-in Argo injection needle you get a two for one appliance. And PEK’s Vino Vault stores up to 14 bottles. For more info click on peksystems.com., buy one then you can have gas too!
2nd show December 4 & 7, 2007
Luxury wine for the holidays! I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say that was the title of my last class for Relish Culinary School. The class swirled, sipped, and yes, even at these prices, there was some spitting. We discussed late disgorged sparklers, malolactic fermentation in Chardonnay, and cat pee aromas in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. There was lots of discussion about French oak vs. American oak, new vs. neutral, thickness of staves, and toast. The top three wines of the night include #3 the Jordan 2003 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $50; #2 the Opus One 2004 Napa Valley Red Wine, $180; and the #1 wine of the night Inniskillin 2003 Sparkling Vidal Ice Wine, $90 for the half bottle. If there is ever a time to serve a $100+ luxury wine, it’s the holidays. And if you do, you and yours guests will be rewarded.
3rd show December 5, 2007
Holiday Open Houses and give the gift of wine tasting, I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say with the holidays approaching local tasting rooms are looking for your business. At Ledson in the Sonoma Valley it’s The 12 Days of Ledson.
Château St. Jean, Simi, and Ravenswood have new releases and special discounts.
And for the perfect stocking stuffer for your wine guy or gal, buy them a ticket to the 16th Annual Russian River Wine Roads Winter Wineland. Wineries from Dry Creek, Russian River, and Alexander Valleys will be hosting you on both Saturday and Sunday, January 19th and 20th. Click on wineroad.com for more info.
And the 17th Annual Zinfandel Advocates and Producers Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, January26th, at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. 260 – 275 wineries will all be pouring Zinfandel. Click on zinfandel.org.
Now get out there and taste responsibly.
1st show November 26, 29, December 1, 2007
What were you doing in 1966? I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here to say that was the year Robert Mondavi started the winery that bears his name. Lots of water has passed under the bridge since those beginning days. Now in his mid-nineties the winemaking baton has been passed to Genevieve Janssens. In her French accent, Genevieve explained to me that the spirit of Mr. Mondavi runs through the winemaking and wine growing teams. Their goal is to make a wine to be enjoyed with family and friends. That’s exactly what Bob Mondavi stated back in 1966. Look for the Mondavi 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon all blackberry, mocha and dark Cherry, 4 wine stains, $28. The Mondavi 2005 Chardonnay Reserve shows Meyer lemon, apple, and mineral, creamy and balanced, 5 wine stains, $40. Robert Mondavi Winery, after all these years, still on the right track.
2nd show November 27 & 30, 2007
Today let’s kick some dirt. I’m Tom Simoneau with today’s wine minute here talking about Mondavi’s To Kalon Vineyard. Originally planted by Napa viticulture pioneer H.W. Crabb in 1868,
T o K a l o n is the Greek term for highest beauty. The 550 acre vineyard is located in the Oakville District at the Mondavi Winery site. There are special places on this planet that the wine gods seem to have created to grow the ideal fruit to make some of the world’s finest wines. For a taste of To Kalon look for the Robert Mondavi To Kalon 2005 Fume Blanc Reserve showing complex aromas of honey and peach with a hint of grass, tastes of melon and citrus, 5 wine stains, $35. The Robert Mondavi 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is 53% To Kalon showing dark cherry, black licorice, blackberry, and toasty oak, 4½ wine stains, $125. Robert Mondavi’s To Kalon, some dirt is not just dirt.
